The Rab Drillium is among the lightest mulit-activity jackets here. It is made from eVent, which is rated as among the most waterproof and most breathable of fabrics, and tends to hide condensation better than the Gore Paclite used in some other jackets. For biking the scooped tail is useful, while climbers will appreciate the excellent arm movement. For storing spare hats, gloves, guidebooks or maps you get two cavernous chest pockets that can be accessed with a rucksack on, so you can also use them to keep hands warm and dry. The hood can be rolled down and secured at the collar, which is ideal if you want to go mountain biking or climbing. The hood has a wired peak, while the fit and movement are among the best. The pockets are a sealed design so they won’t leak. But the Rab Drillium’s front zip does not get an external stormflap, so it can leak more easily than some. For fast action, mesh pockets would be an advantage to improve ventilation and condensation control, while for night-time outings reflective piping would be useful. Others are even lighter too.

Outer eVentInner noneFabric waterproofness extremely waterproofFabric breathability extremely breathableSizes S-XL (men’s); 8-16 (women’s from March 09)Weight 370g (L)Made in ChinaStores in the UK 60Verdict The Rab Drillium was Best in Test in 2007 and it wins that accolade again in 2008 and it’s still hard to beat if you want an all-round jacket, but runners may prefer other options.

Review by Graham Thompson First published in Trail magazine November 2008